Level clip-on device



Jan. 25, 1966 D. REDDlNG 3,

LEVEL CLIP-ON DEVICE Filed Jan. 21, 1963 I l I V 5 EA TTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,230,632 LEVEL CLIP-0N DEVICE Bartlett D. Redding, 11600 Campbell, Kansas City 33, Mo. Filed Jan. 21, 1963, Ser. No. 252,731 5 Claims. (Cl. 33-207) This invention relates to devices for mounting, suspending, attaching or'clamping carpenters levels to construction beams and members such as make up housing and building structural frameworks, windows and door frames, partitions and the like, and refers more particularly to such a device which is so adjustable as to permit the clipping or attaching thereof to all types of construction members of varied sizes, shapes and materials.

The art knows a large number of plumbing and leveling devices. Associated with such various types of levels may be found numerous frames, etc. for attaching to overlying or engaging construction members, which frames or clamps may carry one or more levels suspended thereon. ThusHicks et al. 834,132, Chemrinsky 1,200,410, Bennewitz 1,489,572, Newcomb 2,624,953 and Rice 2,906,031.

In the construction of'buildings or in building a house, there is a staage of the building process, for example, when partitions are erected on an already completed, roughed-in floor. Generally speaking, two men are required for the successful handling of this operation. One man holds the partition in place while simultaneously grasping a level and applying same thereto. The other worker stands to one side to estimate and designate the most true position and then moves in to nail while the other holds the partition in place in proper alignment. Further, in truing any construction member, beam or the like, against or relative to any given vertical surface or partition, the use of a level may be necessary to ascertain the true vertical. If the workers hands are required to hold a level, nailing the member or beam in place is diificult without a second man present.

An object of the invention is to provide a clip-on device adapted to be applied to boards, beams, construction members or the like and support itself thereon while the worker nails or fastens the construction member in place.

Another o'bejct' of the invention is to provide an easily applied and removed clip-on device carrying a level thereon for use in truing various types of construction members, including partitions, boards, beams, studs and the like.

Another object of the invention is to make it possible for only a single man to erect partitions on completed floors.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a level clip-on device which is simple in construction, easy to operate, relatively inexpensive and which has a minimum number of operating parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a level clip-on device wherein the level employed therewith is removable and replaceable as desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a level clip-on device wherein all parts thereof are easily accessible for replacement, cleaning or repair and wherein the level is always clearly visible in use of the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rugged, firmly grasping, level clip-on device which may be applied to substantially any construction or structural member and then is easily and quickly adjustable for application to a construction member of another size.

Other and further objects of the invention will appear in the course of the following description thereof.

connected to mitered edge 3,230,632 Patented Jan. 25, 1966 In the drawings, which form a part of the instant specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, an embodiment of the invention is shown and, in the various views, like numerals are employed to indicate like parts.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a construction member (2" x 4" in this case) withthe subject level clip-on device applied thereto, a portion thereof cut away to better illustrate the construction and parts thereof.

FIG. 2 is a front elevationof the same device applied to thesame construction member.

FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows.

FIG, 4 is a view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan'of an alternative rod engagement means shown in look position in full lines and release position in dotted lines.

FIG. 6 is a downwardly looking sectional view through the right-hand member of FIG. 2 showing a modified rod attachment and a different engaging means.

Referring to the drawings, at 10 is generally designated a first member, said member T-shape in transverse cross section and comprising and including an engaging flange 10a, an adjusting shaft carrying flange 10b and a member facing flange 10c. Shaft carrying flange 10b has an opening 10d therethrough intermediate its ends for a purpose to be described. Facing flange 100 has a mitered upper edge 10c.

Connected to the normally upper edges of at least one of shaft carrying flanges 10b and facing flange 100 is a member designated 11, said member L-shaped in transverse cross section. One portion of member 11 comprises a level carrying flange 11b connected to or integral with shaft carrying flange 10b at one end thereof (preferably), and extending normal or at right angles thereto. Facing flange 11c completes member 11, extends parallel to but at right angles to facing flange 10c and has mitered edge 11c adapted to abut against or be Alternatively, members 10 and 11 may be formed from the same T-shaped member with (1) one leg of the T-member removed (which would correspond to 11a, not shown), (2) a 90 arcuate segment cut from that T-leg or flange which would make up members 10c and 11c whereby the T- member or leg making up members 10b and 11b may be bent at right angles to one another in the manner shown and (3) the said bending operation accomplished whereby to form the left-hand (in FIG. '2) portion of the device shown. However, alternatively, the L-shaped member 11 and T-shaped member 10 (both in transverse cross section) may be separately formed and joined at their edges as shown, by welding, brazing or other suitable conventional attachment. Yet further, alternatively, the entire piece may be initially cast or formed as shown.

A third member, generally designated 12, and T-shaped in transverse cross section, has engaging flange 12a thereof analogous to flange 10a, shaft carrying flange 17a thereof analogous to flange 10b and facing flange 12c thereof analogous to facing flange 10c. Flanges 10a and 12a and 10b and 12b may preferably be of equal width with one another, flange 11b also preferably being of equal width with flanges 10b and 12b. An opening 12a is formed through flange 12b for purposes to be described.

A pair of openings 11d and 11a (FIG. 1) are formed through flange 11b whereby to receive the engaging arms or hook members 13a and 13b of a level holder. The latter is generally designated 13 and has cylindrical body containing a conventional spirit level 14 with opening 13d therethrough whereby to see the indicator portion 14a of level 14. Engaging hook members or arms of preferably uniform outer diameter is received through both openings d and 12d in the manner shown. Opening 12d is so spaced with respect to opening 10d that the uppermost edge of member 12' is spaced downwardly from the lower edge of member 11 at least to some slight extent. A' first nut 16 on the end of shaft outward of flange 12b is positioned next to the outer side o f flange 12b, while a second nut 17 is positioned on the other inner side thereof. These two nuts are tightened down against flange 12b whereby to provide rigid mounting of shaft 15 thereon with only a very small length, if any, of shaft 15 extending therebeyond as seen at 15a. third nut 18 is threaded on shaft 15 spaced away from nut 17 a distance substantially equalto the width of the (any) construction member on which the device is to be 'mounted, but slightly less distance the'refrom'tha'n said member width. Expanded coil spring 19 encircles shaft 15 on the other side of flange 10b from nut 18, abutting against flange 10b with one end thereof next nut 18 and against washer 20 on shaft 15 with the other end thereof. Wing nut 21 is threaded on'sh-afit 15 outwardly of washer 20 from flange 10b whereby to lock the spring assembly on shaft 15 in abutment against flange 10b.

In description of typical operation of the level clip-on device, itis assumed, as previously-noted,- that the operator intends to clip the device onto a structural member such as a 2" x 4 here designated as 22. The distance from flange 12b to flange 10b, the latter abutting nut 18, is

adjusted to slightly less than the three and one-half inch width of the 2'x 4" (say 3%" to 3%"). Wing nut 21 is screwed down on shaft 15 toward member 12 such that some considerable compression exists operating to tension member 10 against nut 18. The operator approaches the 2" x 4" and, using either one hand or two, spreads member 19 to the left (in the View of FIG. 2) against the tension of spring 19 whereby to increase the distance between members 10 and 12 to greater than the width of member 22. He then-(holding member 10 against the spring tension) slips flanges Mia and 12a over the side edges or faces of the, 2" x 4" until facing flanges 12c and 100 lie flat against the outer face thereof. Gripping lugs 12a aid in securing the device on the structural member by striking into the material thereof.

The 2 x 4" may then be erected, adjusted or moved to its desired position and, by looking'at the position of the bubble in the glass, lateral alignment may be achieved. If in and out vertical alignment is desired, (toward or away from the viewer in FIG. 2) the operator may closely observe the position of the level itself on its hanging members 13, which position indicates deviaton from in and out vertical by the fact that the level cylinder will hang either excessively outwardly away from flange 1=1c or inwardly toward same if the member is not aligned in this plane. The most critical measurement in all cases, however, is the lateral vertical and the correctness of such is easily distinguished and adjusted by the position of the bubble in the level.

The entire clip-on device may he slid vertically, up- Wardly or downwardly, if it is not positioned at the mostdesired or convenient [height on the structural memher without removing the device therefrom. The operato-r does not need to hold the level or device on the structural member, spring 19 tensioning member 10 toward nut 18 whereby to firmly grip structural 22 between T -members 10 and 12. To remove the device, the operator need merely grasp the free end (to the left in FIG. 2) of shaft 15 and snap the device off or move member 10 (to the left in FIG. 2) to compress the spring to release the device from the post. At any time, if the grip is not sufliciently secure on the structural member, the operator @may take a couple of turns on the wing nut 21 to tighten it down or, conversely, may loosen the grip thereon by taking -.a couple of turns in the opposite direction.

If it'is desired to change the width of the device (with respect to the member it is intended to grasp) nut 18 is merely moved (rotated) on;the threads of shaft 15 to the right or left (in the view of FIG. 2) with corresponding movement of wing nut 21 to match same. When the device is not being used, the spring tension against member 10 on flange 10bis preferably maintained sufiicient to keep the two T members aligned .in substantial parallel and, when it is desired to apply or release same from a structural, spring tension is lightened sufliciently to easily spread the members apart a suflicient distance to snap the device on the structural member or penrnit release of same from the structural member.

Referring to FIG. 5,-.therein is shown a view taken through a member like member 10 in FIG. 2, looking downwardly, .taken immediately above the juncture of the rod 15 with flange 10b, illustrating a modified'form of clip engagement. The structure of the side member analogous to member 10 is numbered the same, but primed, in all its parts. The rod member is numbered 15 and is not externally threaded-in this modification. A spring member 19 is confined between flange 10b and one end of a resilient steel or other suitable material clip generally designated 23 and having perforated ends 23a and 23b fitting over rod 15' on each side of flange 10b, with the resilience of the strip or spring 23 normally tending it to lock against rod 15, save when the ends 23a and 23b are compressed toward one another. Bycompressing the ends together against the spring action 19', which aids the resiliency of spring 23 itself in fixing same on rod-15', the operator can slide the member 10 to and r0 on rod 15' to adjust itrelative to the other member fixed to the other end.

Referring to FIG. 6, therein is shown the end of rod 15' which engages a member like member 12 in FIG. 2, herein designated generally '12 with the parts thereof numbered the same but primed as thoseof memberlZ in FIG. 2. A modified form of engaging means comprises a pointed threaded screw 24 extending through openings in flange 12a" substituting for the indentations 12a. In

view of the numbering of indentations12a in FIG. 4,

the flange of FIG. 6 corresponding to the flange 12a in FIG. 4 is numbered 12a in FIG. 6.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to'attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments'may be made of the invention-without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A level clip-on device comprising an L-shaped member, an I-shaped member, means resiliently spacing the I-shaped member from a first legof the L-shaped member in parallel relationship and connecting it to same, a

and I-member, said flanges extending in parallel planes to one another and positioned on the sides of said L- member and I-member away from said level.

3. A level clip-on device as in claim 1 wherein said resilient spacing and connecting means comprises a shaft fixed to the I-leg and resiliently and adjustably fixed to the L-leg parallel to said I-leg.

4. A level clip-on device as in claim 1 wherein the resilient spacing and connecting means comprises a shaft rigidly connected to one of the parallel I-member and L- leg and resiliently connected to the other of the two.

5. A level clip-on device comprising a first member T-shaped in transverse cross section, a second member L-shaped in transverse cross section fixed to one end of the said first member with the L-legs thereof comprising continuations of two of the T-member legs and extending normal thereto, a third member T-shaped in transverse cross section, and means resiliently connecting and spacing the second T-member relative to said first T-member in parallel relationship with the T-legs thereof positioned in parallel planes, and a level connected to said L-memher and enclosed within the L-member legs.

No references cited.

ISAAC LISANN, Primary Examiner. 

1. A LEVEL CLIP-ON DEVICE COMPRISING AN L-SHAPED MEMBER, AN I-SHAPED MEMBER, MEANS RESILIENTLY SPACING THE I-SHAPED MEMBER FROM A FIRST LEG OF THE L-SHAPED MEMBER IN PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP AND CONNECTING IT TO SAME, A LEVEL CONNECTED TO THE SECOND L-SHAPED MEMBER LEG AND EXTENDING IN A DIRECTION SUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL TO SAID FIRST L-LEG, AND MEANS ON THE L AND I-SHAPED MEMBERS FOR GRIPPING SAME ON THE SIDES OF A CONSTRUCTION MEMBER. 